Rotary shelf cabinet



Oct. 9, 1951 J, BAlLEY 2,570,747

ROTARY SHELF CABINET Filed June 21. 1949 Inventor: James Bailey,

His Attorney.

Patented Oct. 9, 1951 ROTARY SHELF CABINET James Bailey, Bridgeport, Conn., assignor to Gen- .eral Electric Company, a corporation York f New Application June 21, 1949, Serial No. 100,383

. 3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a rotary shelf cabinet, and in particular to a shelf cabinet adapted to be placed in the corner of a room.

Modern cabinet constructions, such as for kitchens and like places, utilize numerous cabinet units as base and wall cabinets placed against the Walls of a room. conventionally, these cabinets contain shelves or drawers to receive the articles to be stored therein. Frequently to secure .a desired layout for a given room, it is preferable that the cabinet structures extend into a corner of the room, and such corner cabinets present a special problem in attempting to utilize the full enclosed space for shelves, and at the same time provide ready accessibillty'of all parts of such shelves.

It, is, therefore, a primary object of my invention to provide a corner cabinet constructionhaving rotatable shelves whereby substantially the full storage space within the corner cabinet may be utilized while providing ready accessibility for all articles stored on such shelves.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved shelf supportingstructure, permitting ready rotation of the mounted shelves while providing sufficient rigidity for shelf loads.

A further object of my invention is to construct an improved support and locking device for the shelf structure, which serves as a bearing for rotatably supporting the shelf structure, and also includes locking means so that the shelves may be maintained in fixed positions. More specifically, this locking device serves properly to locate the shelves to permit cabinet doors to be closed.

Still another object of my invention is to construct a shelf locking device which is self-releasing and self-locking without manipulation of additional levers or other means. In accordance with my construction, the shelves are released or locked merely by rotation of the shelf structure itself.

Still a further object of my invention is to so arrange this locking device that additional stresses are not transmitted to the frame of the cabinet.

In accomplishment of the foregoing objectives, one of the features of my invention consists in rotatably mounting shelves for a corner cabinet by affixing the desired number of shelves to a shaft supported at one end, such as its lower'end on a caster roller bearing. The opposite end of this shaft is also supported by a bearing, and a resiliently biased locking device carried by this hearing engages notches in the end of the shelf su r g shaft, therebyres g in c rtain 2 locked positions for the shelf. In particular, this locking device is arranged so that the additional stress caused by the resilient elements for the locking device is taken up by a fixed collar on the shaft, without transmitting additional stresses to the cabinet frame members.

The features of my invention which I believe to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. My invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation of my improved corner cabinet; Fig. .2 is a plan view; Fig. 3 is a crosssectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawing, I. have shown as illustrative of my invention, a corner cabinetwith an improved rotaryshelf construction. The'basic outline of the cabinet is provided'by framing members which also serve as supports for the other components making up a completed assembly. This frame includes a bottom sill I, a top sill 2, and right and left side members 3 and 4 respectively. As shown by Fig. 2, bearing guides 5 and 6 extend toward the rear of the cabinet from top sill 2, to locate the shelf supporting means with respect to the cabinet frame. Access to the cabinet interior is provided by doors I and 8, door 1 being hinged to the frame at 9 and ID, as shown by Fig. 1, and door 8 being similarly hinged at H and I2. A door pull I3 is attached to door 1, and likewise a door pull I4 is attached to door 8. Normally, this corner cabinet is in line with wall base cabinets extending along adjacent walls leading into the corner. Since such wall base cabinets are mounted adjacent the corner cabinet and include side walls, side walls 3 and 4 of this corner cabinet need not be extended rearwardly to the wall line. It is to be understood, however, that side members 3 and 4 may be extended to the wall line in the event that this corner cabinet is not used in line with adjacent wall base cabinets. The cabinet framing members may be of angle iron or other appropriate sheet steel shapes and of sufficient weight to provide the necessary cabinet rigidity. For economy of manufacture and strength of the completed assembly, I prefer to use spot welding to connect the various components of the cabinet frame and cabinet enclosing members, it being Fig. 1.

understood that bolts, rivets, or other similar fastening devices may be used.

The shelves for this corner cabinet are manufactured in a circular form with a sector out out to permit the access doors I and 8 to close, as shown by Fig. 2. By employing circular shelves, substantially all of the space extending into the corner may be utilized, and a circular shelf lends itself particularly to shelf rotation to provide access to all parts thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, I have shown two shelves l5 and I6. Obviously, additional shelves may be included or the structure may include only a single shelf. To prevent articles from falling from the edge of the shelf, shelf flanges such as H and [8 are connected to each shelf by a plurality of screws or rivets l9.

Shelves l5 and [-6 are supported in spaced relation within the cabinet on a central post 20. To illustrate clearly this construction, part "of *thefront cabinetsurface isbroken away in A shelf supporting plate 2! is ainxedto the under surface of each shelf by a plurality of fastening devices such as bolts '22. Supporting plate 2| may extend over a sufii-cient area of the shelf to render adequate support. 'Depending from the lower side of shelf supporting plate}?! and forming anintegral part thereof, is ;a tubular portion 23, encircling the main supporting shaft or post '29. This portion 23 forms a hub around the main supporting shaft to substantially eliminate rocking or tilting of the shelf itself. The vertical location of the shelf, with respect to supporting shaft 2c is ad justable, and when .the "shelf has been located in a desire'd position, a collar 24 is moved :up to contact the lower end 'of'hub 23, and a set screw 25 in thecollaristightened down to prevent further displacement. Aset -'screw 26 extending through hub "23/may also be employed to effectively aflix supporting plate 24 and hub 23 tothe main supporting shaft 20. It may be noted in this connection that the shelves do not rotatewith respect to supporting shaft 2%, and therefore, a. rigid connection maybe made. Such a construction aids materially in mounting the shelves,tso that they do not tilt or rock about their support. While I :have not described in detail the mountingfor lower shelf it, obviously similar-supporting means as described in connection with shelf "IE-are employed.

' Since the shelves do not rotate about the 'mainsupporting shaft 20, it is necessary to rotatably support shaft 23 with respect to the cabinet frame. For this purpose, I'employ a lower roller :castor bearing, permitting free rotationof shaft 20. Preferably .a bearing'supporting bracket 27 supports this lower bearing above floor line-.28. A bottom bearing cup 29 is secured .to bracket 27 'by fastening-devices such as 3!] and 3!. .An upper bearing cup 32 is affixed to the main supporting shaft 28. Ball 33 fits-between bearing cups 2-9 and .32, thereby permitting free rotation of shaft '20 at the base of the cabinet.

.JMeans are provided near the top of the cabinet, forming a second bearing for the main supporting shaft .28. This construction is most clearly shown by the sectional view of Fig. 3. Bearing guides 5 and '6, extending rearwardly from top 'sill, 2,,proper1y located this bearing with respect to't'he "cabinet frame. These bearing guides may be reinforced by a member 33', to'provide the requisite strength. Since a cabinet top (not shown) is to be provided on the top of the cabinet "resting on top sill 2 and the upper surfaceof hearing guides 5 andfi, the bearing guides are shaped to provide a cavity 34, to receive the components making up this top bearing. The bearing itself includes a pair of bearing plates, an upper bearing plate 35, and a lower bearing plate 36. Upper bearing plate 35 comprises a circular disc centrally apertured to receive shaft Lower bearing plate 36, also in the form of a circular disc, includes a central aperture for shaft 2!], and in addition includes an annular recess 31. A collar 38 is aifiXed to shaft 20, by a set screw 39, and this collar is receivable in the annular recess 31 of lower bearing plate 33. With thisconstruction, shaft-20 is provided not only with abearing to prevent lateral displacement, but also by use of collar 38 the bearing is capable of carrying a vertical thrust load. A plurality of fastening devices such as screws 40, 4| and 42 secure these bearing plates in position, with respect to the bearing guides. From the-above-.description, it is apparent that shelves I5 and are readily rotatable since they are affixed to the main supporting shaft 29 which is.rotatably supported by bearings at its lower and upper ends.

In accordance with my invention, locking means are provided so that the rotary shelves may be fixed ina given position topermit doors 1 and 8 of the cabinet to close properly. As shown by the cross-sectional View of'Fig. 4, main supporting shaft is tubular, and it may be of such material, for example, as seamless steel pipe. A notch 43, preferably of semi-circular shape, is cut on a diameter of the upper end of shaft 20 to receive a locking bar 44. Locking bar 44, which may be shaped from stock of rectangular cross :section, has its lower intermediate edges rounded so that it may be received in notches 43 in the .end of shaft 20, as best shown by'Figu i. Referring to Fig. 3, locking bar '44 is positioned and resilientlyheld in contact with the end of shaft 20, by means of bolt members '45 and 45. The heads 4'? and 48 respectively of bolts'45and 46 are receivable in milled recessesin theends of locking bar 44 to hold the bolts against rotation with respect to the locking bar. Bolts .45 and extend downwardly through bearing plates and 36, and the bearing guides. .Adjacent the lower end of these locking bar bolts, resilient means are provided to maintain the locking bar in contact with the end of shaft 20. These means are here shown as coil springs :49 and 50 respectively, and each spring has a pair of upper and lower bearing washers 5| and 52. Wing nuts 53 and 54 are threaded on to the ends of bolts '45 and 46 respectively, for manual adjustment of the compression of springs 49 and 50.

With this construction, it can be seen that force exerted downwardly on shaft 20 by looking bar 44 under the influence of springs 49 and 50 is transmitted through collar 38 aflixed to shaft 23 to the lower bearing plate 36. Therefore, none of the stress resulting from the use of this resiliently biased locking bar is transmitted to the cabinet frame. Furthermore, this construction permits adjustment of the locking bar tension from inside the cabinet without removal of the'cabinet or counter tops.

Since the notches in the end of shaft 20 are rounded and also since the locking bar has rounded edges, the rotary shelves may be released from their'locked position merely by applying a rotary force to the shelves themselves, causing the resiliently biased locking bar to ride up out of its notches or grooves. At such time as it is desired to relock the rotary shelves in position, the shelves merely need to be rotated until locking bar 44 again is engaged in the grooves or notches on the end of shaft 20. While I have shown but one locked position for the rotary shelves, it is obvious that additional grooves may be placed on the end of shaft 20 to provide a plurality of locked positions.

From the above disclosure, it is seen that I have provided an improved shelf mounting and locking arrangement for rotary shelves in a corner cabinet. With this construction, the shelves are rigidly supported against lateral tilting or rocking movement, while being freely rotatable to provide access to all parts of the shelf surface. This construction also includes an automatic locking arrangement to accurately position the shelves to permit doors on the cabinet front to be closed. In addition, this shaft locking arrangement including the springs or other resilient means to maintain the locking bar in position, transmits all stresses resulting from the locking device to the main shaft supporting the shelves through the shaft bearing structure rather than imposing additional stress on cabinet frame members. The construction of this cabinet is also arranged to permit economy of manufacture of the component parts and ready assembly upon installation.

While the present invention has been described by reference to a particular embodiment thereof, it will be understood that numerous modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without actually departing from the in- 1 vention. I, therefore, aim in the appended claims to cover all such equivalent variations as come within the true spirit and scope of the foregoing disclosure.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A rotary shelf cabinet comprising a frame, a shelf supporting shaft, a base bearing upon which said shaft is rotatably supported, shelves aflixed to said shaft for rotation therewith, and a shaft bearing and lock for supporting the other end of said shaft and locking it in at least one fixed position, said shaft bearing and lock comprising shaft guides attached to said frame, bearing plates for said shaft on each side of said guides, means clamping said bearing plates to each other and to said guides, a collar afiixed to said shaft and rotatably supported by one of said bearing plates, a locking bar mounted on said clamping means in transverse relation to said other end of said shaft, said shaft including a notched end engageable by said locking bar, and resilient means acting between said clamping means and said bearing plate for drawing said locking bar into engagement with the notched end of said shaft.

2. In a cabinet having rotary shelves affixed to a rotatably supported shaft, a locking device for maintaining said shelves in a fixed position, said locking device comprising a pair of bearing plates supported by the cabinet frame, a collar aflixed to said shaft and rotatably supported between said bearing plates, means defining at least one groove on the end of said shaft, a locking bar cooperable with said grooves, members carried by said locking bar resiliently connected to said bearing plates for positioning and biasing said locking bar against the end of said shaft.

3. In a rotary shelf cabinet including a cabinet frame, a shaft rotatably supported by said frame, shelves aflixed to said shaft, and locking means for maintaining said shelves in at least one fixed position, said locking means comprising a pair of bearing plates rotatably supporting the shaft adjacent one end thereof, a collar aflixed to the shaft rotatably supported between said bearing plates, a locking bar having a rounded cross-section, said shaft including grooves in the end thereof to receive said locking bar, and adjustable means carried by said bearing plate resiliently biasing said locking bar against the end of said shaft, whereby said locking bar engages in said groove to maintain said shelves in position, and said rounded crosssection permits said locking bar to ride out of said groove upon rotary motion of said shelves.

JAMES BAILEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 834,318 Oren Oct. 30, 1906 1,531,358 Thompson Mar. 31, 1925 1,861,937 Philips June '7, 1932 2,255,889 Kleinwachter Sept. 16, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 400,465 Great Britain Oct. 26, 1933 

